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Find your frequency hereWallabies can't lose heads in Lions Test tussle
Melissa Woods, AAP • July 25th, 2025 7:46 am
More is wanted, and needed, from the Wallabies forwards in the second Test against the Lions | Photo: Dave Hunt/AAP
Coach Joe Schmidt says his underdog Wallabies will have to play with brains as well as brawn to topple the unbeaten British and Irish Lions in their MCG showdown.
The last Australian outfit to lose back-to-back Tests was in 1989, when they stormed to victory in the opening match before consecutive defeats.
The Wallabies were criticised after their loss in game one in Brisbane for their lack of physicality, with the confrontational Lions forwards getting on top of their hosts.
The lack of front-foot ball in the first half made life difficult for rookie flyhalf Tom Lynagh to make any inroads in attack.
Schmidt has included powerhouse trio Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Dave Porecki for Saturday's clash to help combat the brutality of the Lions.
The First Nations and Pasifika outfit had a fearless approach to the Lions in their midweek match in Melbourne, rattling their highly-rated opponents with their aggression in defence.
While he wanted the Wallabies to front up and shed their "nice guy" tag, Schmidt didn't believe that would work in the Test arena against the best of the Lions players.
"We don't want to be nice, and we don't want to be submissive," Schmidt said.
"I thought the First Nations Pasifika team did a fantastic job, but after 31 minutes, they've conceded 13 line breaks.
"If we do that in a Test match, we could be a lot further behind than the FNP team were on Tuesday evening so we've got to make sure we get the balance right.
"Some of that aggressive line speed that they brought, we've got to bring that, but we've also got to make sure that it's connected, because when you leap like that and they can play in behind you, then it's very hard to get back in front of them.
"So, you know, 13 line breaks to two after 30 minutes, we can't afford to have that stat."
Joe Schmidt overseas a Wallabies training session in Melbourne | Photo: Con Chronis/AAP
Fullback Tom Wright said the squad had full trust in wily Kiwi Schmidt, who took over as Wallabies coach at the start of 2024.
Schmidt will hand the reins to Les Kiss after the Rugby Championship which provides the squad with even more incentive to send him out a winner.
"I also have a real appreciation of the way that Joe coaches this group," Wright said.
"I think we're absolutely all in on the way he coaches because we all believe in it.
"What he does do is drive individuals for stuff that we can control in our own backyards or forwards, backs, my own sort of game.
"I think he knows exactly what the group needs."
Morgan Turinui on Wallabies loss
